Substantive consolidation is a process in corporate bankruptcy in which the assets of related debtor entities are placed into a single vehicle subject to the undifferentiated claims of all the creditors. Doing so resolves inter-debtor claims and vindicates the interests of creditors who thought they were transacting with a unitary debtor, albeit at the expense of those who relied on a strict separation of entities. The Note argues that these functions would be more properly executed under a cause of action created by state law than under federal law. Part I of the Note examines the current law of substantive consolidation in the context of federal bankruptcy law and state corporate law. Part II analyzes the role and constitutionality of state law in bankruptcy remedies. It notes that states may create causes of action as corporate property, which can mirror the effects of substantive consolidation. Part II asserts that this does not violate the Bankruptcy Clause of the Constitution because the Supreme Court’s bankruptcy jurisprudence respects state characterizations of property. Part III sketches a range of possible implementations of state law actions for substantive consolidation. The Note argues these causes of action would yield greater deference to state policy decisions regarding corporate structure, give sophisticated debtors and creditors more flexibility in structuring their relationships, and promote more efficient bankruptcy through increased use of substantive consolidation.

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For nearly one hundred years, the Minnesota Law Review has been a leader amongst academic legal publications. When Professor Henry J. Fletcher launched the journal in 1917, his goal was simple. It was to “contribute a little something to the systematic growth of the whole law.” Since then, the Law [...]

Minnesota Law Review alumnus Tom Cranna was honored at the Annual Banquet this Spring, 45 years after his death. Mr. Cranna was remembered for his contributions to the journal, the school, and the positive impact he had on his family and friends. The Devil’s Lake Journal published a memorial which [...]

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A recent Al Jazeera opinion piece that criticizes the Supreme Court’s Daimler decision cites to Volume 97′s lead piece, How Business Fares in the Supreme Court. You can read the Al Jazeera piece here. Share this: on Twitter on Facebook on Google+